# iPhone 5 to have a new 19 pin connector. Will make all accessories for previous models obsolete. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 21, 2012, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-5-to-have-a-new-19-pin-connector-will-make-all-accessories-for-previous-models-obsolete/625865 "2012-06-21T18:11:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-5-to-have-a-new-19-pin-connector-will-make-all-accessories-for-previous-models-obsolete/625865/1 "2012-06-21T18:11:26Z")
It has been announced the new iPhone 5 will have a smaller 19 pin connector on the bottom, replacing the 30 pin connector in all previous models. > [@](#): > > Do you happen to own an iPhone? Looking forward to getting the next generation? Well as nice as it’s probably going to be, you might as well throw away every single accessory you’ve ever bought for your previous phones. Every single accessory created for the phone since its launch in 2007 is headed towards redundancy with the latest announcement, which states that all future iPhones will arbitrarily ditch the standard 30 pin charger cable for a smaller 19 pin cable. > **[Neue Microgaming Casinos](https://www.awesome-robo.com/?nfr=1)** ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-5-to-have-a-new-19-pin-connector-will-make-all-accessories-for-previous-models-obsolete/625865/2 "2012-06-21T18:15:30Z")
Presumably it will come with its own charger, and as for legacy accessories, I’m assuming (unless there is some technical reason it cannot be done) some enterprising company will quickly begin selling 19-to-30-pin adapters. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-5-to-have-a-new-19-pin-connector-will-make-all-accessories-for-previous-models-obsolete/625865/3 "2012-06-21T18:19:51Z")
I think an accessory would just add bulk to the bottom of it, preventing use in a speaker dock in which an iPhone already fits snugly enough. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-5-to-have-a-new-19-pin-connector-will-make-all-accessories-for-previous-models-obsolete/625865/4 "2012-06-21T18:43:25Z")
Awesome-robo? > [@](#): > > It has been announced Only if by “announced” you mean “speculated on by an obscure website on a topic that is certain to get page-views”. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-5-to-have-a-new-19-pin-connector-will-make-all-accessories-for-previous-models-obsolete/625865/5 "2012-06-21T19:04:54Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > Awesome-robo? > > Only if by “announced” you mean “speculated on by an obscure website on a topic that is certain to get page-views”. I tracked down the original source. And OK, it may still just be a rumor at this stage. But [Tech Crunch](http://techcrunch.com/2012/06/20/confirmed-the-new-iphone-will-have-a-19-pin-mini-connector/) said that they have independent confirmation from three different manufacturers. This seems credible to me. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-5-to-have-a-new-19-pin-connector-will-make-all-accessories-for-previous-models-obsolete/625865/6 "2012-06-21T19:09:31Z")
Yeah, I did a little digging as well. Could be true. It’s so stupid - why not just go with micro-USB? Or hell, HDMI-mini!? Nope, they have to go with proprietary. Oh well - I always need to order stuff at [monoprice.com](http://monoprice.com) at some point. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-5-to-have-a-new-19-pin-connector-will-make-all-accessories-for-previous-models-obsolete/625865/7 "2012-06-21T19:09:50Z")
It’s entirely a rumor at this stage and will remain so until Apple makes an official announcement. There were lots of rumors about the 4S that didn’t come to pass. That said, I wouldn’t be surprised if it were true. Some accessories will become obsolete but others will have cleverly designed adapters offered by Apple or third party vendors. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-5-to-have-a-new-19-pin-connector-will-make-all-accessories-for-previous-models-obsolete/625865/8 "2012-06-21T19:12:44Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > Oh well - I always need to order stuff at [monoprice.com](http://monoprice.com) at some point. Exactly. Those cables that go from USB to iPhone that cost $20 at the Apple store are like $1.20 from Monoprice and ship from Southern California in the US Mail. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-5-to-have-a-new-19-pin-connector-will-make-all-accessories-for-previous-models-obsolete/625865/9 "2012-06-21T19:23:47Z")
They could start by not making the insulation on the charger cables out of cheese (or at least use one of the harder cheeses, rather than Brie). ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-5-to-have-a-new-19-pin-connector-will-make-all-accessories-for-previous-models-obsolete/625865/10 "2012-06-21T19:35:15Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Exactly. Those cables that go from USB to iPhone that cost $20 at the Apple store are like $1.20 from Monoprice and ship from Southern California in the US Mail. Monoprice rocks. Why can’t \*they \*design the iPhone? ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-5-to-have-a-new-19-pin-connector-will-make-all-accessories-for-previous-models-obsolete/625865/11 "2012-06-21T19:36:30Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > Monoprice rocks. Why can’t \*they \*design the iPhone? They’re not designers. I would like to see their $60 version of an iPhone clone though. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-5-to-have-a-new-19-pin-connector-will-make-all-accessories-for-previous-models-obsolete/625865/12 "2012-06-21T19:40:17Z")
Heh. Just looked at a clear polycarbonate case for the iPhone 4/4S on Monoprice, which sells for 86 cents. “iPhone not included!” it warns. Sadly, that’s probably necessary. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-5-to-have-a-new-19-pin-connector-will-make-all-accessories-for-previous-models-obsolete/625865/13 "2012-06-21T19:49:16Z")
There’s an article about the 19-pin connector on [Mac Rumors](http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1391380) as well, and they do pretty good at getting things right. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-5-to-have-a-new-19-pin-connector-will-make-all-accessories-for-previous-models-obsolete/625865/14 "2012-06-21T21:27:38Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > Yeah, I did a little digging as well. Could be true. It’s so stupid - why not just go with micro-USB? Or hell, HDMI-mini!? Nope, they have to go with proprietary. Oh well - I always need to order stuff at [monoprice.com](http://monoprice.com) at some point. O.M.G! Hasn’t this complaint been answered a million times? The reason Apple doesn’t use MicroUSB is that MicroUSB doesn’t support Video, Audio, Serial and sense! Look at the pinout of the iPhone connector: > **[Apple iPod, iPhone (2g, 3g), iPad Dock connector pinout signals @...](https://pinoutguide.com/PortableDevices/ipod_pinout.shtml)** > > Pinout of Apple iPod dock interface and layout of 30 pin iPOD special connectorUsed in 3rd and later generation iPods for charging, connecting to a PC via USB or Firewire, to a stereo via line-out, to a serial device (controlled via the Apple... This connector is one of the reasons the iPod/iPhone has been so successful - it can be plugged into a wide variety of A/V equipment. Try to do that with USB. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-5-to-have-a-new-19-pin-connector-will-make-all-accessories-for-previous-models-obsolete/625865/15 "2012-06-21T21:59:46Z")
Considering that the docking jack I installed to hook my car stereo to my old iPhone 4 doesn’t work with my damned 4S (it charges it but won’t play through the speakers) I can’t work up too much hate about it. ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-5-to-have-a-new-19-pin-connector-will-make-all-accessories-for-previous-models-obsolete/625865/16 "2012-06-21T22:53:44Z")
Yet another of the many, many good reasons to avoid Apple like the plague. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-5-to-have-a-new-19-pin-connector-will-make-all-accessories-for-previous-models-obsolete/625865/17 "2012-06-21T23:59:00Z")
One more reason to love love love Apple. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2012, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-5-to-have-a-new-19-pin-connector-will-make-all-accessories-for-previous-models-obsolete/625865/18 "2012-06-22T01:26:10Z")
If it was up to you guys, we’d still be using [Centronics](http://www.ntanet.net/images/centronics.jpg) connectors. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2012, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-5-to-have-a-new-19-pin-connector-will-make-all-accessories-for-previous-models-obsolete/625865/19 "2012-06-22T02:50:18Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > O.M.G! > Hasn’t this complaint been answered a million times? > > The reason Apple doesn’t use MicroUSB is that MicroUSB doesn’t support Video, Audio, Serial and sense! > > Look at the pinout of the iPhone connector: > [Apple iPod, iPhone (2g, 3g), iPad Dock connector pinout signals @ PinoutGuide.com](http://pinouts.ru/PortableDevices/ipod_pinout.shtml) > > This connector is one of the reasons the iPod/iPhone has been so successful - it can be plugged into a wide variety of A/V equipment. Try to do that with USB. My last cell phone company used the uUSB connector for audio. I had a working prototype of a phone that used it for video out as well…and then my group was let go. I don’t recall if we muxed serial out, but there was no reason we couldn’t have. I’m not sure what ‘sense’ means here, but I’d be shocked if I couldn’t architect it in as well. -D/a ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2012, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-5-to-have-a-new-19-pin-connector-will-make-all-accessories-for-previous-models-obsolete/625865/20 "2012-06-22T02:58:49Z")
> [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](#): > > My last cell phone company used the uUSB connector for audio. I had a working prototype of a phone that used it for video out as well…and then my group was let go. I don’t recall if we muxed serial out, but there was no reason we couldn’t have. > > I’m not sure what ‘sense’ means here, but I’d be shocked if I couldn’t architect it in as well. > -D/a Doubtful. The iPhone outputs real honest-to-god analog stereo and composite video out of it’s dock connector. Which means you can attach it to any A/V equipment in existence. I serious doubt that your µUSB connector was going to do that. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-5-to-have-a-new-19-pin-connector-will-make-all-accessories-for-previous-models-obsolete/625865.md?page=2)